Staple forming



5 Sheets-Sheet 1. T. L. KNUDTSON 81: J. UHRI. STABLE FORMING AND DRIVING MACHINE. No. 483,254. Patented Sept.` 27, 1892.

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(No Model.) 5 Sheets-Sheet T. L. KNUDTSON & J. UHRI. STAPLE FUNMING AND DRIVING MACHINE.

No. 483,254. Patented Sept. 27, 1892.

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(No Model.)

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T. L. KNUDTSON & J; UHRI. STAPLE IORMING AND` DRIVING MACHINE. i No. 483,254. Patented Sept. 27, 1892'.

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T. L. KNUDTSON iv-J. UHRI. STABLE PQRMING @ND DRIVING MACHINE.

UivrrnnN STATES PATENT OFFICE.

THURSTON L; KNUDTSON AND JACOB UHRI, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

STAPLE FORNIING DRIVING MACHINE.

ASlllliIGIFIA'IION forming part of Letters Patent No. 483,254, dated September 27, 1892.

l Application filed February 8, 1892. `Serial No. 420,785. (No model.)

.To all whom t may concern.-

Be it known that we, TnUnsroN L. KNUDT- soN and JACOB UHRI, citizens of the United States'residing at Chicago, in thecounty of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Staple Forming and Driving Machines, of which the following is a speciiication.

Our invention in its broadest sense relates to improvements in machines for forming vstaples from a continuous length of wire. In its more limited sense it relates t0 improve ments in machines, iirst, for forming the staples and driving them into'material which is fed across the discharge end o'f the staple-forming mechanism, and, secondly, for forming and driving the staples and directing across the dischargek end of the staple forming mechanism a strengthening-rod or binding-wire, over which the staples are driven to fasten the rod or wire to the material which it' is intended to strengthen or bind.

Our objects are, first, to provide improved staple forming and discharge or driving mechanism which shall be particularly quick and accurate in its operation and strong and durable to a high degree; second, to render the staple-forming mechanism adjustable, whereby staples of various sizes may be formed in the same machine, as desired, and, third, to provide feed and severing mechanism for the strengthening-rod or bindingwire, which may be brought into operation when desired.

It is our object, further, to provide a machine of generally improved construction for all the purposes above defined which shall be compact, strong, and durable, and capable of being employed as a hand implement or as a part of a power-machine.

The general operation of our machine to form and drive staples is as follows: The staple-forming Wire is passed through adjustableintermittentegripmechanism,which feeds the wire forward the full length of the material of the staple to be formed with each downstroke of a vertically-reciprocating rod. Adjacent to the staple-forming mechanism the wire describes an angle in its path, across which cutting mechanism passes in the final downstroke of the reciprocating rod to sever the wire in a manner to produce a beveled pointed end. The wire is fed across the lower ciprocating ram.

end of an oscillating former. iVorking up and down from a point below the path of the wire as it is fed to near the upper end of the former is a bender, which engages the under side of the wire and draws it in the upstroke of the reciprocating rod into the former to giveto the wire blank the proper staple shape. When the staple has been formed, the former oscillates backward to disengage the staple from the bender and carry it into line with a discharge-groove and below a vertically-re- In the subsequent downstroke of the reciprocating rod the ram engages the top of the staple and forces it down through the groove and out of the machine.

In the drawings, Figure l is a broken perspective view of one side of oui'` machine, the view being taken from line 1 of Fig. 4 in the direction of the arrow. Figs. 2 and 3 are views similar to the last, but on a reduced scale, and taken from lines 2 and 3, respectively, of Fig. 4 in the directions of the arrows; Fig. 4, a brokensectional plan viewon line 4 Vof Fig. 1; Fig. 5, a broken view in elevation, taken on line 5 of Figs. 4 and 10, showing the wire-cutting and staple-driving mechanisms, the stapleformer being removed for purposes of illustration; Fig. 6, a section taken on line 6 of Fig. 5 and viewed in the direction of the arrow; Figs. '7 and S, side and rear 'perspective views, respectively, of the oscillating staple-former; Fig. 9, a section taken on line 9 of Figs. 7 and S; Figs. 10, 1.1, and 12, broken sections taken on line 16 of Fig. 4, viewed in the direction of the arrow and illustrating three different positions of the staple forming and driving mechanism. In Fig. 12 a fourth position of the forming and driving mechanism is indicated by dotted lines; Fig. 13, a broken View partly in elevation and partlyin section, the View being taken on the bent line 13 13 of Fig. l1 and viewed in the direction of the arrows; Fig. 14, a broken section taken on line 14 of Fig. 13 and viewed in the direction of the arrow; Fig. l5, a broken view similar to Fig. 5, but showing the former in place, a wire fed across the former and a guidespring for the wire; Fig. 16, abroken sectional View taken on line 16 16 of Fig. 4 and viewed in the direction of the arrows; Fig. 17, a broken view, partly in section and partly in elevation, illustrating the intermittentgrip staple-wirefeed mechanism, the section being taken on line 17 of Fig. 4 and viewed in the direction of the arrow; Figs. 1S and 19, broken sections taken, respectively, on the curved line 1S and line 19 of Fig. 17 and viewed as indicated by the arrows; Fig. 20, a broken sectional view taken in the direction of the arrow on line 2O of Fig. 4; Figs. 2l, 22, 23, and 24, sections taken onlines 21, 22, 23, and 24 of Fig. 20 and viewed as indicated by the arrows; Fig. 25, a detail perspective View of an adjustable cutting-block, and Fig. 26 a section taken on line 26 of Fig. 16 and viewed in the direction of the arrow. The frame which affords the bearings and housings of the various mechanisms which make up the machine is in two parts A and A, the division between the two being at line 5 of Fig. 4 between the points The two sections are secured together in rigid relation by screws .e z', which pass, respectively, through openings .2222. The machine is shown to be secured upon a bar X, which may be part of the framework of a large machine of which the staple-forming machine is an element.

B, Fig. 1, is a vertically-reciprocating operatingbar,which terminates at its lower end in a block B. Rigidl'y secured at their upper ends in the block B are two verticallyreciprocating rods C and D. The rod G,which constitutes the carrier for the staple bender and driver, passes through a bearing A2 at the upper end of the section A of the frame and extends down through a vertical guideopening t, also in the section A. 10, 11, and 12.) Rigidly secured t0 the rod C is a bracket C', which reciprocates with the rod C. The rod D passes through the bracket C and terminates just below thelatter, where it is provided with a clamp-nut D. (See Fig. 16.) The rod D is merely a strengthening- (See Figs.

rod extending between the block B and.

bracket C.

E is a vertically-reciprocating rod extending at its upper end portion loosely through a bearing A2 (which is integral with the bearing A2) and down loosely through an opening in the bracket C. (See Fig. 16.) Just below the bearing A3 the rod is provided with a rigid collar s and below the bracket C it is provided with a rigid collar or sleeve s. The sleeve s is adapted to slide in a bearing A4 in the section A and at its lower end affords a shoulder or bearing for the upper end of a coiled spring s2, (see Fig. 6,) which surrounds the rod E below the sleeve s and bears at its lower end against a tap-screw S2,

above its socket portion with a reduced extension p. The socket-piece G is adapted to reciprocate in a socket r, formed in the under face of an arm O2 of the bracket C', and the reduced extension p reciprocates through an opening r at the top of the socket r. Above the bracketarm C2 the stem or reduced portion 19 of the socket-piece G is threaded to receive a capscrew p. The rodF extends down into a vertical guide-opening q in the section A of the frame. Between the guide-opening q and adjacent face of the section A and formed in the inner face of the section A is a vertical recess g. The guide-opening q and recess q communicate throughout their entire extents through a vertical groove oropening q2. The socket-piece G is provided on its rear side with a slot 192, which extends from the lower end of the sleeve upward a short distance. On the socket-piece G on opposite sides of the' slot p2 are ears p3, affording a pivot-bearing for the bender G. The bender G is a iiatsided plate, and it extends .downward in a groove F in the rod F and through the opening Q2 between the guide-opening q and recess q. The groove F extends from near the upper end of the rod F to the lower end of the latter. At the upper end portion of the groove F is an opening F2 through the wall of the rod at the base or back of the groove. The bender G is of the shape shown in the figures, having an offset G2, at which it is pivoted upon a pin p4, passing through the bearings p on the socket-piece G, an offset G3 of the shape shown, which extends normally through and nearly, but not quite, iills the opening F2, and a hook G4 at its lower end, which engages the staple-blank, as hereinafter described. The upper end of the bender G is formed with a cam edge G5. In the rise of the rod C the arm C2 of the bracket C engages the under surface of the cap-screw p and draws up the socket-piece G and with it the bender G. In its upward movement the point of the cam-surface G5 engages the top of the groove F and opening F2, which causes the bender to be swung forward from the vertical position shown in Figs. 11 and 12 to the slightly-inclined position shown in Fig. 10. The bender is prevented from swinging more than a short distance, as will hereinafter be explained. The further rise of the rod C causes the upper end portion of the cam-surface G5 to bear against the upper end of the slot F and carry the rod F up with it. In the descent of the rod C the arm C2 slides down upon the reduced portion or stem p of the socket-piece G until the upper end of the socket o' strikes the shoulder p5 at the top of the enlarged part of the socket-piece G and presses it downward, causing the upper part of the socket-piece G to engage the upper end of the rod F. In this movement the lower end of the opening F2 is engaged by the lower end of the offset G3 of the bender, and the latter is swung to the vertical position shown in Figs. l1 and 12. The further IOC IIO

descent of the rod C causes the rod F to j descend with the socket-piece G. Intersecting the guide-opening q in the path of the rod F is a friction-block o. (See Figsl and. 14.) The block ois cylindrical in cross-section and reciprocates in a guide-opening o in the section A. The opening o is closed by a screw o2, and between the latter and the adjacent end of the block is a coiled spring o2. The block o is rendered concave at its inner end, as shown at Fig. 14, to conform to the surface of the rod F. The spring o3 presses the block against the surface of the rod F and retards the motion of the latter. Thus the rod F will only move under force exerted positively against it by the socket-piece G or top of the bender G, and will remain stationary while the lost motion between the socket-piece. G and rod F takes place. 1t will be understood that `it is thelost motion between the two which causes the bender to be swung back and forth, as described. a

The face of the section A, against which the section A abuis, is shown most clearly in Figs. 5 and 15. 1t is formed on one side with a rim y, circular throughout part of its extent, with a straight vertical portion y. On its opposite side it has the rim portion y2, formed with the straight edge y2, and between the parts y and y2 in` the position shown is a guide p4. It will befnnderstood that the parts y, y', y2, and y1 form a rigid portion of the section A. 1n the face of the part A, exposed to view in Fig. 5, is a shallow socket n, and on the face of that socket are two vertical guide projections n. Extend ing from the lower end of the socket 'n out through the lower end of the section A is avertical passage n2. (See Fig. 6.) Between the opening t for the rod C on the one hand and the socket n and passage n2 on the other hand is an opening n2, of the shape in cross-section shown in Fig. 6, the said opening being iiankcd` above the passage n2 by the guides n'. Rigiclly secured to the rod C is a ram or hammer H, having a neck portion 121', which extends through the opening n2, and a head portion H2, of the shape of the passage n2 and adapted to slide freely up and down in the latter. The lower end of the head H2 is rendered concave to fit upon the staple blank, which it engages, as hereinafter described.

I is the former, which is shown in detail in Figs. 7, 8, and 9. 1t is provided with a head portion 1 and bifurcated downward exten,

sion 12. At its lower end the former is cut away, as shown in the figures, to produce the socket 13 and face I4, and in the upper part of the socket, also extending across both forks, is a recess 15. The forks 12 are divided by an opening having an enlarged part 16 and reduced part 17, (sce Fig. 9,) and in the forks on opposite sides of the enlarged part 16 of the opening are vertical recesses 12. On one side of the head 1 is a shoulder 12, and on the opposite side is an ear 110. Extending transversely through thehead 1 is an opening 111. The former ispivoted upon a pin 112,

which passes through the opening 111 and ex tends at opposite ends into bearings formed in the parts y 1/4. The ear 110 bears against a spring-stop 112, housed in the section A, the normal tendency of which is to maintain the former in a vertical position with the inner faces of its bifurcations against the surface of the socket n and its forks embracing the guides n. The former swings from its no1'- mal position (shown in Figs. 11 and 12) to the position shown in Fig. lO against the resistance of the spring-stop. The hooked end portion G1 of the bender G extends into and moves up and down in the opening between the forks of the former 1.

The wire W, from which the staple-blanks are cut, enters the machine at the nipple m and extends down through a guide-passage m and through intermittentgrip mechanism K. The intermittent-grip mechanism comprises a wheel K', which fits snuglybut loosely in a shallow circular socket formed in the face of the part A5 of the section A. The wheel K' is formed with a circumferential groove K2 and with a recess K2. (See Figs. 17 and 18.) The recess K3 is in the rim portion of the wheel, being of segmental shape, as shown, and extending entirely through the wheel. The wheel K is loosely mounted upon a shaft K4, (see Fig. 2,) which latter is rigidly secured against turningin the part A5 of the frame. Adjacent to the cuter face of the wheel, also loosely mounted at one end upon the shaft K4, is a swinging arm K5, having a hanged end portion K6, which projects into the recess K2. The arm K5 is formed at its outer end portion (at the fiange K6) with a cam-face K7. Also loosely mounted at one end upon the shaft K1 is a swinging arm K2. At its free end the arm K2 carries a bifurcated block K9, which projects into the recess K2. One of the forks of the block K2 is formed with a cam-surface K10, adapted to engage the cam-surface K7 of the part K, which latter is embraced by the forks of the block K1. Extending through the part K9 is a groove K11, which coincides with the groove K2 in the rim of the wheel K. The parts K6 and K9 are clutch members adapted to grip the wire intermittingly and feed it forward, as hereinafter described. Rigid upon the shaft K4 is a bracket K12, upon the free end of which is pivoted an arm K12. The arm K13 is provided throughout the greater part of its extent with a slot K14. Pivoted at one end to the free end of the arm Ks and at its opposite end to the arm K13 is a link K15. The link K15 is fastened to the arm K12 by means of a clamp-bolt, which may bc adj usted along the slotK11 and fastened rigidly in adjusted position without changing the pivotal relation between the link and arm` K13. A link K is pivotally connected at one end with the arm K13 and at its opposite end with the bracket C upon the rod C.

The wire from which the staple-blanks are formed passes along the groove K2 in the wheel K and across the recess K3. In the recess IOC IIO

' the wire passes through the groove K11 inthe clutch member K9 and thence between the said clutch member and the clutch member K6. In the downward movement of the reciprocating rod O and its bracket C the link K16 is forced down, causing it to swing the arm K13 down on its pivot. The downward movement of the arm K13 causes it, through the medium of the link K15,to swing down the arm K8. The arm K5 rests normally at its end portion K6 against the lower end of the recess K3. As the arrn KS swings down the cam-surface K10 of the clutch member K1 engages the cam-surface K7 of the clutch member K6 and presses the engaging edge of the latter clutch member against the wire, causing the wire to be gripped between the clutch members. The further 'downward movement of the parts oscillates the wheel K downward,

carrying with it the wire, which is thus fed forward the distance of the wheels oscillation. In the upward movement of the rod C the link K16 is Vdrawn upward, dragging with it the arm K8. In the upward swing of the arm KB the cam-surface of the clutch member KSJ is disengaged from the clutch member K6, and the wire thus released. The upper edge of the clutch member K9 engages the upper end of the recess K3 and oscillates the Wheel K upward.

To insure disengagement of the intermittent-grip mechanism from the wire in the upintersects the passage m.

stroke of the rod C, a detent is provided in Y Y the passage m belowthe nipple m. Y Itrcom-z 35 prises a dog Z, pivoted in an opening Z', which (See Fig. The dog is pivoted in the said opening, is serrated at its inner end to engage the wire, and at its outer end is weighted, as shown. In its downward passage the wire moves freely past the dog; but any tendency to force the wire in the upward direction is resisted by engagement ofthe dog, which clamps the wire in the passage m.

At the under side of the wheel K the metal of the part A5, which forms the housing for the wheel, is cut away, as shown at w in Fig. 17, to afford an outlet-passage for the wire from the groove of the wheel. The Wire passes from that outlet through the recess I3 of the bender I between the latter and the adjacent surface of the section A below the socket ot, as indicated in Fig. 6. At the side of the former opposite that at which the wire enters is a at spring w', which is secured upon the inner face of the section A and bears normally against the inner surface ofY the section A. The spring w is curled at its free end portion to affordaguide for the wire, which passes between it and the surface of the section A, the wire being pressed with desired firmness against said surface to steady it. .I ust below the opening w is a shallow horizontal ly-extending guide-recess w2 on the inner face of the section A. The guide-recess to2 extends from the edge of the section A to the vertical recess q. Secured by a nut-bolt ws, Fig. 3, to the edge of the section A in the recess w2 is a bearing 104, and between the said bearing and recess q is a longitudinallyadjustable cutter-block L, which is of a width corresponding with the depth of the recess Q02 and lits the latter snugly but loosely. On the outer face of the cutter-block L is a boss L provided with a threaded opening L2 through it to receive an adjusting-screw 105. The adj usting-screw 105 is held against longitudinal movement in the bearing 104 and may be turned from the thumb-piece to at the end of the screw. The screw 'L05 engages the thread in the opening L2 of the boss L', and turning of the screw causes the cutter-block to move longitudinally in the groove 102. In its upper surface the cutter-block L is provided with a guide-groove L3, Fig. 25, which near the end of the block turns out at the corner, as shown, to produce the cutting-edge L4.

In a shallow recess in the face of the section A is a vertically-sliding plate M, (see Figs. 6 and 16,),provided on its rear side with a bearing h Pivoted upon a pin M2, having'its bearings in the section A, is a lever M3, which at its free end is provided with an opening M1, at which it loosely surrounds the vertically-reciprocating rod E above the collar s. Upon the rod E, above the lever M3, is a loose washer 31. Pivoted at its end to the lever M3, between the fulcrum of the latter and rod E, is a link M5, which at its lower end is pivotally secured in the bearing M on Ythe plate M. Downward movement of the rod() causes its bracket Cin the final downward movement of the rod to engage the washer s4. The force thus exerted upon the washer s1 presses down the lever M3, which bears against the upper surface of the collar s and carries the rod E down against the resistance of the spring s2. In its downward movement the lever M3, through the medium of the link M5, moves the plate M downward. In the rise of the rod C the bracket C releases the washer s4, and the rod E, lever l 3, and plate M are'raised by the action of the spring S2. Fastened by rivets, preferably in the form of stud-,pins M6,to the face of the plate M is a cutting-blade M7, having the cutting-edge M8. The cutting-blade moves up and down with the plate M between the guides ys and g4. On its side adjacent to the guide yB the cutting-blade is provided with a downwardly-extending lip M, in the inner corner of which, adjacent to the cuttingedge, is a guide-groove M10. The cuttingblade M7 works against and past the cuttingedge Lf1 of the cutter-block L.

As the wire for the staple-blanks is fed forward, as described, by the intermittent-grip mechanism it is guided from the opening w through the groove L3 in the cutter-block, which detlects it past the cutting-edge L4. Thence the wire passes across the surface of the section A to between the spring w and said surface, as shown in Fig. 6. In its movement to the spring w', as described, the wire W passes between the former I and the face of the section A below the lower end of the recess n and extends through the recess I3 of the former I below the recess l5.

rlhe operation of the machine thus far described is as follows: In the descent of the rod C the ram or hammer Il is carried down to the position shown by dotted lines in Fig. 12. The arm C2 of the bracket C descends upon the extension or stem p of the socketpiece G until the upper surface of the latter is engaged by the upper inner surface of the socket r, and the rod F and bender G are carried down to the position shown by dotted lines in Fig. l2. The intermittent grip engages and advances the wire W' to the position shown in Fig. 6, and as the rod C nears the lowestlimit of its descent the cutting-blade is forced past the cutting-edge of the cutter-block L to sever the wire. Owing to the angle at which the wire passes the cutting-edge Ltit is severed diagonally to produce a long beveled point. In the rise of the rod C the ram or hammer Il is raised to a plane above the hook end of the bender before the top of the arm C2 of the bracket engages the under side of the screw-cap p and raises the rod F and bender G. In the rise of the bender the lower end of the latter is swung backward or outward, as before described, to the adjacent surface of the section A. In its further rise the hook end G4 of the bender engages the wire IV and draws it upward to the groove Fat the lower end of the former. In its further rise the bender draws the wire by bending it over at the point of engagementwith the latter into the grooves IS of the former I. The face of the recess I3 is Camshaped, as shown at I9 in Fig. 7, and the action of the bender in drawing the wire upward into the grooves I8 causes the stapleblank as it rises into the former I to bear against the surface of the section A at the lower end of the recess n and swing the former I forward to the position shown in Fig. lO. When the staple thus formed has been drawn upward beyond the lower end of the recess n, the former I, through the action of the spring-stop 113, forces the former I to its vertical position, (shown in Figs. ll and 12,) which brings the grooves I8 coincident with the passage n2. The moment the rod C commences again to descend the bracket-arm C2 releases the cap-screw p', permitting the socketpiece G to descend sufficiently upon the rod F to swing the bender to its vertical position and cause the latter to release the staple. The further descent of the rod C causes the ram or hammer I-I to engage the upper bent end of the staple, as shown by full lines in Fig. I2, and force it downward through the grooves Is and guidepassage n2 and out through the bottom of the machine, as shown by dotted lines in Fig. l2. In forcing the staple out of the machine, as described, the ram will drive the staple into any suitable material which extends across the mouth of the guide-passage n2.

The material into which the staples are driven is fed across the lower end of the machine described, and this may be done by any suitable feed mechanism, depending upon the construction of the machine of which the present invention might form a part. The binder-wire or strengthening-rod, over which the staples are to be driven, would be fed by being drawn along, after it has been fastened with one staple, by the material to which it is secured. The material to which the strengtheningwires are to be stapled is usually fed in given uniform lengths to the machine, and it is desirable for certain purposes for which the lengths of material strengthened by the stapled wires, as described, are to be used that the strengthening-wire should project a desired distance-say two inches-beyond opposite ends of the material. In the machine shown the strengthening-wire is caused to pass through grip mechanism, which may be operated at proper intervals to feed the strengthening-wire forward the desired distance after the latter has been severed.

The strengthening-wire Y enters the machine at the nipple 7a and passes down through a passage 7c and thence through grip mechanism Y. The grip mechanism N comprises a wheel N, placed in and filling a shallow circular recess in the )art AG of the section l A. The wheel N is formed, as shown in Fig. 23, with a fiange t'- and laterally-projecting rim i', having an inward radially-extending flange 2, producing the annular socket 3 on the under side of the rim. The wheel N is loose upon a shaft or bearing N2, forming a rigid part of the section A. Fitting over the wheel is an annular flanged disk N3, the ange of which extends into the space between the flange z" of the wheel N and adjacent surfaces of the housing A6 and loosely against the flange 'L' of the wheel N. The disk N3 is also mounted to rotate loosely upon the bearing N2. The flange and edge portion of the disk N3 are cut away between the points h h, Fig. 20, to receive the iianged end g of an arm g. The arm g terminates at its opposite end in a collar g2, which tits loosely over a boss f, formed upon the outer surface of the disk N3 and surrounding the shaft N2. At one side of the arm g is a segmental opening e through the disk N3 (see Figs. 2U and 21) and coinciding with the opening e. The outer `surface of the arm g is beveled off, as indicated at g3. Extending through the opening eis aclutch-block d on a stem d. The clutchblock (l is provided on the outer side of the disk with a cam projection d2, adapted t-o engage the cam-surface g3 of the arm g, and at its end, which projects through the opening e, it is provided with a recess d3, which embraces the flange t" of the wheel Ni. Pivotally mounted at one end upon the bearings N2 is an arm c, which at its opposite end is pivotally connected with the stem d of the clutchblock d. (See Fig. l.)

P is a vertically-reciprocating rod extend- IOO IOS

IIO

ing down through a guide-opening u in the section A', which opening affords the bearing for the said rod. At its lower end the rod P is provided with a nut P, and between thc said nut and a shoulder u', formed in the guide-opening for the rod, is confined a coiled spring P2. The spring operates to maintain the rod P at the lowest limit of its play and to resist the rise thereof. Firmly secured to the rod is a collar P3, which rests normally upon the shoulder ac', Fig. 2, at the top of the guide-opening u for the rod. Above the collar P3 and loosely surrounding the rod P is a collar P4. Pivoted at one end at x2 to the section A to one side of the disk N3 is a lever R.

R is a link pivotally connected at opposite ends, respectively, to the free ends of the lever R and arm c. A link R2 is pivotally connected at one end to the collar P4 and at its opposite end to the lever R between the ends of the latter. The rod Ppasses through an opening in an arm C4 of the bracket C',

.and at its upper end it is provided with a capscrew P5.

The wire Y extends from the grip mechanism N through a groove or passage b in the section A at the base of the latter and a groove b inthe section A, which is coincident with the groove b, described. The groove or passage b is in the bottom of the section A and crosses the vertical passage n2 in a direction diagonally to the inner face of the section A. Extending transversely through the section A at the passage b is a solid cylinder a, having an opening a through it, (see Fig. 26,) which registers normally with the passage Z) and is of a diameter to permit the wire Y to pass readily through it. The cylinder ct is provided at its outer end with an arm a2. Pivotally connected at one end to the arm a2 and at its opposite end to the loose collar P3 on the rod P is a link R3. Extending transversely through the section A is a stationary cutting-blade a3, which crosses the upper side of the passage b and affords a cutting-edge at the cylinder d.

Fulcrumed in bearings on the bracket C is a lever S, having an arm S and an arm S2. On the end of the arm S2 of the lever is a vertical concave extension S3, adapted to em-` brace the rod P between the bracket-arm O4 and screw-cap P5. The lever S is fulcrumed upon a pin S4, which extends down through a bearing in the arm C2 of bracket C', and carries a confined spring S5, which bears against the lever S and operates merely as friction mechanism to prevent too ready turning of the lever upon its fulcrum. The lever S rises and falls with the bracket C and rod C, and -near the lowest limit of its fallin the path of the arm S of the lever is an oscillating switch T. The switch T is rigid upon a shaft T which extends through the section A, and the switch is formed with two cam-fingers T2 and T3. v(See Fig. l.) On the rear side of the section A the shaft T is provided with a crank T4, which is pivotally connected to a reciprocating rod T5. The rod T5 is operated in any suitable manner to reciprocate, when desired, and turn either linger of the switch into engagement with the descending lever S.

The operation of the feed and cutting mechanism for the wireY is as follows: When the material into which the staples are driven has passed from under the passage a2, the rod T5 is moved to turn the cam-linger T3 of the switch into the path of the descending lever S. The engagement of the lever S with the switch-linger T3 turns the lever to carry its concave extension S3 against the rod P. In the subsequent rise of the rod C the upper end of the part S3 engages the under side of the cap-screw P5 and raises the rod P against the resistance of the spring P2. As the rod P rises it draws up the link R3 and turns the cylinder a. The turning of the cylinder a carries up the wire Y and shears it off against the blade a3. In the rise of the rod P collar P3 lifts the collar P4 and the link R2 is drawn upward, drawing with it the lever R, link R', and arm c. The upward movement of the arm c carries with it the clutch-block d until the latter reaches the upper end of the socket e. The further rise of the arm c causes the clutch-block d to oscillate the disk N3 upward, which carries with it, of course, the arm g. As shown in Fig. 22, the end of the flange g' of the arm g is serrated and the wire Y passes down between the said serrated end and the flange t2 of the wheel N. In the rise of the clutch-block d its cam cl2 disengages itself from the cam-surface g3 of the arm g, permitting the serrated end of the latter to slide freely over the wire Y. As the rod C descends the lever S disengages itself from the cap P5 and the rod P is drawn down by its spring P2. In the descent of the rod P the c vlinder a is turned to its normal position, wherein its passage a registers with the passage b. The under surface of the bracketarm C4 strikes the collar P4 and forces it down to the collar P3, swinging the lever R and arm c in the downward direction and causing the clutch-block to descend and engage the cam-surface g3 of the arm g. This IOO IIO

engagement between the clutch-block and l arm g causes the latter to be pressed inwarod, whereby its serrated end engages the wire Y, the latter being gripped between the serrated end of the arm g and flange t of the wheel N. The further descent of the rod P turns the grip mechanism and feeds the wire Y forward. Owing to the leverage connection between the sliding collar P4 and grip mechanism, the latter is turned a dist-ance of about two inches with the movement of but a fraction of an inch of the collar P4. YVhile the rods C and P are descending, as described, the reciprocating rod T5 is moved to turn the switch-finger T2 into the path of the descending lever S and the latter is swung out of contact with the rod P.

of the blade M7 and cutter-block L are serrated to serrate the ends of the staples along their severed faces.

The intermittent-grip mechanism K, which feeds the wire W, may be adjusted to advance the wire any desired distance with each operation. The adjustment is effected by loosening the link K15 at the lever K13, shifting it in the groove K14, and tightening it in adjusted position. The sweep of the intermittent-grip mechanism is increased by shifting the link K15 in the direction of the free `end of the lever K13 and diminished by shifting the link in the direction of the fulcrum of the lever K13. The cutter-block L may be shifted toward or away from the path of the staple-forming mechanism by means of the adjusting-screw w, so that the engagement of the cutting-blade M7 with the cutting-edge L4 of the cutter-block may be at any desired distance from the path of the staple-forming mechanism.

In practice when it is desired to adjust the feed and cutting mechanisms to produce a longer staple the intermittent grip mechanism is adjusted to feed the proper increased length of wire and the cutter-block is shifted one-half of that distance. To facilitate the adjustment, a scale c is provided upon the lever K13 and a scale c', one-half the size of the scale t' is provided upon the face of the part A at the side of the cutter-block.

It will be seen from the foregoing description that our improved machine may be used merely to manufacture staples from a continuous length of wire. lt may be also employed to drive the staples into material fed across the bottom of the machine, and it will also, if desired, feed a strengthening-wire across the discharge end of the machine, which the staples will straddle as they are ejected from the machine. It will be noticed that the strengthening-wire passes the discharge-opening of the machinein a direction diagonally of the staple at an angle preferably of about forty-five degrees to the latter. This is a precautionary measure to prevent the staples from splitting the material into which they are driven.

W'hile the construction shown and described is the one we prefer to employ, it is obvious that it may be modified in the matter of details without departing from the spirit of our invention as defined by the claims.

Nhat We claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

l.` ln a staple-forming machine, the combination, with the stationary frame and feed and severing mechanisms for the wire, of the staple former mounted in the stationary frame, a carrier reciprocating in the stationary frame, a bender reciprocated by the carrier and operating in the movement of the carrier in one direction to engage the stapleblank, force it into the staple-former, and then release the staple, and a ram upon the carrier, operating in the reverse movement thereof to engage and discharge the staple from the staple-former, substantially as described.

2. In a staple-forming machine, the combination, with the stationary frame and feed and severing mechanisms for the wire, of a` staple former mounted in the stationary frame, a bender reciprocaied by the carrier and having an independent oscillating movement and operating in the movement of the carrier in one direction to engage the stapleblank, force it into the staple-former, and then release the staple, and a ram upon the carrier, operating in the reverse movement thereof to engage and discharge the staple from the staple-former, substantially as described.

3. In a staple-forming machine, the combination, with the stationary frame and feed and severing mechanisms for the wire, of a discharge-passage in the frame for the staple, a staple-former mounted in the frame and movable into and out of coincidence with the said discharge-passage, a reciprocating carrier 1n the frame, a bender reciprocated by the carrier and operating in the movement ofthe carrier in one direction to engage the stapleblank, force it into the staple-former, and then release the staple, and a ram upon the carrier, operating in the reverse movement thereof to engage the staple and force it out of the staple-former and through the discharge-passage, substantially as described.

4t. In a staple-forming machine, the combination, with the stationaryframe and feed and severing mechanisms for the wire, of a discharge-passage in the frame for the staple, a staple-former movable into and out of coincidence with the said discharge-passage, a carrier reciprocating in the stationary frame, a bender engaged and released by the carrier in its movements and reciprocated thereby a distance less than that traversed by the carrier and having an oscillating motion independent of the carrier and operating when engaged by the carrier in the movement thereof in one direction to engage the stapleblank, force it into the staple-former, and then release the staple, and a ram upon the carrier, reciprocating past the engaging end of the bender and operating in the reverse movement of the carrier to engage the staple and force it out of the staple-former and through the discharge-passage, substantially as described. v Y

5. In a staple-termin g machine, the combination, with the frame having a dischargepassage for the staple and with the feed and severing mechanisms for the wire, of an oscillating staple-.former pivoted to the frame and provided with forming-grooves which in the backward oscillation of the staple-former are brought into coincidence with the said discharge-passage and with a transverse opening between the forming-grooves, a bender reciprocating in and longitudinally of the said transverse opening and movable at its engaging end into and out of coincidence with the IOO IIO

forming-grooves, and a ram reciprocating in the said discharge-passage and in the transverse opening of the staple-former past the engaging end ot' the bender, substantially as described.

6. The combination of the staple-former, a reciprocating ram, a bender, means for oscillating the bender, and means for reciprocating the same upon the movement of the said ram a distance less than that traversed by the ram, whereby the ram with each reciprocation passes the engaging end of the bender, substantially as described. Y

7. The combination of the frame provided with' the discharge-passage for the staple, re-

ciprocating ram, bender having a reciprocating and an oscillating motion, oscillating staple-former pivoted to the frame and having staple-forming grooves, and a spring-stop on the frame,'operating to maintain the stapleformer normally, with its forming-grooves coincident with the said discharge-passage,V substantially as described.

8. The combination, with the reciprocating rod C, ram thereon, and staple-former, of a reciprocating slotted rod F, a socket-piece G on' the rod, having a stem p, provided with stops p and p5, an arm C2011 the rod C, loosely embracing the stem p between'the stops p p, and a bender G', pivoted to the socketpiece G, extending in the slot of the rod F and having a cam-shaped end to engage the end of said slot, whereby in the reciprocation of the rod C the stops on the socket-piece are alternately engaged by the arm C2, the'rod C has limited movement in advance of such engagement, the rod F and bender are reciprocated, and the'b'ender is oscillated, substantially as' described.

9. In a staple-forming machine, the combination, with the staple-formingP and wire-seving mechanisms, of areciprocatingbearingand intermittent-grip feeding mechanism for the wire, comprising a reciprocating clutch to engage and advance the wire and adjustable lever mechanism between the reciprocating bearing and clutch, whereby-the distance of movement of the clutch with relation to the movement ofthe bearing may be varied Vat will, substantially as described.

l0. The combination, with the reciprocating staple-driving mechanism and dischargeopening for the staple, of strengthening-Wiresevering mechanism,'feed mechanism adapted to engage and advance said Wire across the said discharge-opening, and means for automatically throwing the said severing and feed mechanisms into and out of operation, substantially as described.

11. The combination, with the reciprocating staple-driving mechanism, of a movable support, strengthening wire-severing-and intermittent-feed mechanisms connected with the said support, support-engaging mechanism reciprocating with the staple driving mechanism and adapted to engage and release the said support, and intermittinglyactuated switch mechanism in the path of the saidsupport-engaging mechanism operating to throw the said engaging mechanism into and out of engagement with the said movable support, whereby the said severing and feed mechanisms are operated, substantially as described. c

12. The combination, with the reciprocating staple-driving mechanism, of strengthening-wire-severing and intermittent-feed mechanisms, a longitudinally movable rod with which the said severing and feed mechanisms are c0nnected,a spring resisting movement of the said rod in one direction, rod-engaging mechanism reciprocating with the staple-driving mechanism and adapted to engage and release the said rod, and intermittingly-actuated switch mechanism in the path of the said rod-engaging mechanism operating toY throw the said engaging mechanism into and out of engagement with the said rod, whereby the rod is moved against the resistance of its spring and is returned by its spring, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

13. The combination, with the staple-driving mechanism, of a feed-passage for the strengthening-wire, an oscillating cutter eX- 'tending across the said feed-passage and having an opening through it for the wire, normally coinciding with said feed-passage, a cutting-edge at the said feed-passage past which the said cutter oscillates, and feed mechanism for said wire arranged to engage the Wire behind the cutter and advance the wire after severance, substantially asi-described. Y

THURSTON L. KNUDTSON. JACOB UHRI. In presence of- J. N. HANsoN, f M. J. FROST.

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